Hope Visits the United States Congress

Welcome Back to the Land of Hope

If you glance to the right you will find the first two essays about a child name Hope. This all started at the end of my first novel, The 12/59 Shuttle from Yesterday to Today. The main character and his wife had a child, and that child had a child name Hope.

“And the child was born, and as she grew it became apparent that this was a special child. Her golden hair reflected sunlight on sunny days, and during the gloom of winter she seemed to absorb the darkness, so that those in her proximity felt warmth where there was cold.

By the time she was eight she was sought by millions, all longing to be near her, to touch her, to bask in her peacefulness, and to hear her words. Every week, every Saturday, in a field of lavender, she met with those who had come from distant shores, and she answered their questions with patience, and with love.”

And so, the story continues. Today let’s listen in as the child named Hope visits the Halls of Congress in Washington D.C.

The Gavel Sounds

The Speaker of the House brings the current joint session of Congress to order with a bang of his gavel. Slowly the talking comes to an end, and all eyes turn to the front of the room, where a little child sits at a table with a microphone in front of her. Flanked by her parents, the child appears to be calm and not nervous at all. In fact, there is a peacefulness about this child, an almost physical presence that is felt by those nearby. She turns her attention to the Speaker of the House, nods to him and smiles.

“Congressmen, Senators, and distinguished guests, today I’d like you all to join with me in welcoming Hope to Congress. I’m sure you are all familiar with Hope, and the message she has delivered across this nation in the past few months. We have invited Hope here today so that she might answer your questions, and so that she might further explain her message, a message I believe is vitally important for us as we prepare to pass important legislation this session.

“Please, join me in a round of applause for Hope.”

A thunderous roar filled the chamber as the powerful men and women of Congress rose to their feet and applauded the small, unassuming child. She seemed embarrassed by it all, and she received reassuring hugs from both parents. Finally, she raised a hand to quiet the crowd, then leaned toward the microphone and spoke.

“Thank you one and all for your warm welcome, a welcome that humbles and honors me, but I must tell you I am a bit confused by it all. Your enthusiasm in welcoming me signifies that you are grateful I am here, and yet I have always been with you. I have been treated like a rare treasure since arriving in Washington D.C., and yet, to millions around the world, I am as common as the rising and setting of the sun. Am I to assume, from your welcome, that you did not think I existed? Am I to assume, from your welcome, that perhaps you had forgotten my message?

“I have much to say today, but rather than speaking from a prepared speech, I would prefer to answer your questions, for then I will receive some insight into your hearts. Please, anyone, let’s have a question.”

Source

From Louisiana

The distinguished junior senator from Louisiana raised his hand.

“Hope, I hail from the great state of Louisiana, and I would like to ask about commerce versus the environment. In my state, and in many others, there is increased pressure on lawmakers to generate jobs, and among the industries interested in Louisiana is the oil industry. They provide thousands of jobs to my state, but they also threaten the natural balance in nature with their pollution. How can we pass legislation that will keep both sides of the argument happy? How can we provide jobs AND protect the environment?

Hope stood up from the table and faced the senator, then walked down the aisle and stopped before him.

“You say these things, sir, like there are only two options. We are never limited in our options, as you would seem to suggest. It seems to me that your vision is short-sighted. You curry the favors of the oil industry so that instant gratification, and votes, will be gained, not giving a thought to the long-range ramifications of your actions. Tell me, sir, how much graft you received from the oil industry last year?”

A collective gasp could be heard across the great chamber, and then silence as all awaited the senator’s answer. None was given.

“From your silence much is said, senator. I represent all citizens of this country, senator. In spirit I am with those who barely have enough to eat. In spirit I am with those who are homeless, and those who cannot possibly survive on minimum wage. I am with everyone who has lost their home, who dresses their children in rags, and who are forced to drink polluted water. Do not speak to me about either or, but rather speak to me about solutions.

“I happen to know, senator, that when you were a child, your father worked three part-time jobs to provide for your family, while your mother raised you and your three siblings while doing sewing for supplemental income. How do I know that? Because hope for a better life was with your mother and father then, just as it is, now, with millions in your state. You would do well, sir, to remember your roots and look to your background for the answers you seek.”

Hope in the Big Sky Country | Source

From Montana

A hand immediately rose from Hope’s right, and a robust voice spoke loudly and with considerable emotion.

“With all due respect, Hope, I am tired of hearing about the poor working class. My daddy worked his tail off and never took public assistance. He pulled himself up by his bootstraps and never asked for help. If he could do it then, by God, others can do it as well. Why must we always talk about social services and programs that give freely but drain our resources?”

Hope made her way to the congressman from Montana. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

“ Because, Congressman, we never leave a fallen comrade behind. Wasn’t that one of your beliefs as a marine in Afghanistan? We never leave a fallen comrade behind. Simple words to say, but not so easy to live when the bullets are flying and you can count your future in minutes rather than years….and yet, ten years ago, you risked injury or death to save a wounded soldier and carry him to safety in a killing zone. We never leave a fallen comrade behind. That is what you believed then. Why is it so hard to believe it now?

“We are currently in a war against poverty, and there are fallen comrades. I am with them daily, but there is only so much I can do. I need your help…they need your help…will you crawl across that killing zone one more time, and help your fallen comrades, or will you shrink from your duty and hide behind the safety of rhetoric?”

And so It Went

For two hours, Hope responded to questions, sometimes patiently, and sometimes with urgency, but always the child treated each questioner with respect. Finally, the time came for her closing statements.

“Listen carefully, all of you. The principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not meaningless drivel. They are promises, and they are the rights of every person in this country. It is your job to ensure that they will never be forgotten, or set on a shelf to gather dust. There is only so much I can do. I can provide warmth for the souls of your constituents during their dark times, but it takes more to provide food and a chance at a decent life.

“Hope is not enough. Action is called for, and that action must be born from compassion and love. If we work in concert we can achieve great things, but if the day comes when Hope is lost, then may God have mercy on us all.

“Legislation that benefits the few will only bankrupt the future. Legislation that benefits us all will be revered by generations to come. The choice is yours, but remember that your power is derived from the people, and it is a power that can be revoked at any time.

“Thank you for this opportunity. I will always be with you should you need me.”

Comments

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sending

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Perfectly stated, Deb, so of course I agree with you. Thank you!

Deb Hirt 3 years agofrom Stillwater, OK

Indeed, there is to much discussion and a lack of action. It matters not if it is for humanity or nature. We just need to get off that soapbox and begin to take responsibility, as well as action.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Alabama indeed, Faith. :)

Faith Reaper 3 years agofrom southern USA

Alabama : )

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you SherriDW, for the very nice words. I'll try not to let you down.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Dianna, I don't know if you and I will see these changes during out lifetime, but I'm fine with writing about them and hopefully aiding in change. That is my Hope! Thank you!

SherriDW 3 years ago

I am new to hub pages and I have already decided that you are my favorite writer. You are helpful and encouraging. My favorite story is that of Hope.

Thank You.

Dianna Mendez 3 years ago

Even if we had hope as this child, we would be able to make a difference in our government. Congress does need to recall how they once believed in the simplicity of life and had a heart for the people. Great message, Bill.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

manatita, I wouldn't get within a stone's throw of an elected office. Way too much corruption for me. As for the Sermon on the Mount, I can definitely see that in this. :) thank you as always my friend.

manatita44 3 years agofrom london

Whenever you're ready to run for office, Bill, just let me know. Still, I figure that you would want to keep away, and I think I'll join you, bro. Great Hub.

By the way, it reminded me of The Sermon on the Mount. I'm using a Seer to teach two children, and you are using a very current and much needed virtue, to serve in another beautiful way. Much Love.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you vkwok. We must always believe in Hope.

Victor W. Kwok 3 years agofrom Hawaii

Your hubs on Hope are wonderful, Bill. I think we could all benefit from her wisdom.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Frank, you are giving my ego a boost this morning. Thank you sir!

Frank Atanacio 3 years agofrom Shelton

4 little letters H.O.P.E made this such a pleasure to read voted up and awesome Billybuc

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you Alicia. I think she's pretty special as well.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you Faith! I've been following the mess in your state of late...but really, it could be any state where that is happening. Just change the names and the same greed and misuse of power will be there.

Hope is a special girl. I'm glad you like her.

Have a wonderful day my friend....pax vobiscum

bill

Linda Crampton 3 years agofrom British Columbia, Canada

Hope is a wonderful character and teacher, Bill. Her messages are very important.

Faith Reaper 3 years agofrom southern USA

Beautiful message via Hope, dear Bill! If only ... well, at least here (where I am from), we arrest, indict and eventually send to prison those guilty! That is one way to shake up Congress ... sad, but true. We are non-partisan too, as a democratic governor went to prison and now possibly another high-ranking official (republican) in state government. Seems if they start out with good intentions and are good, then the longer they stay in politics, the greed will overtake them.

I have hope in that at least the prosecutors are doing there job and then some, it seems ... here at least. We shall see ...

I will have to catch up on your Hope series. It is wonderful to hope for a better world, and that comes from the character of the people who inhabit it.

Peace and blessings

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you so much, Sheila. The next one is in the works as we speak.

sheilamyers 3 years ago

billy: If you keep writing about her, I'll keep reading the stories. I've been enjoying them.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thanks again, Ann! I will keep having Hope, as I know you will.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

I agree completely Denise. Now if we can only get a couple hundred million more people to get with the program. :)

Ann1Az2 3 years agofrom Orange, Texas

Indeed, it would probably be a waste of postage. Lets hope that this message is prophetic as well as a great allegory.

Denise W Anderson 3 years agofrom Bismarck, North Dakota

These are powerful statements. We all have the responsibility to see to our better future by the decisions we make, no matter where we sit to the table!

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you DDE!

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

m abdullah javed, yes, Hope is mature for her age...there is great wisdom in Hope.

Devika Primić 3 years agofrom Dubrovnik, Croatia

Interesting about life and its differences

muhammad abdullah javed 3 years ago

The character of Hope is quite interesting and a bit matured here. The message is loud and clear. Thanks Bill Sir, excellent as always.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Jama, what a stunning comment, and there isn't one thing about your words that I would argue with. There were quite a few elder statesmen in the late 1770s who warned against greed and corruption, but sadly, not enough listened. Thank you for your insights. I really have no answer to the current state of affairs. I see it continuing past my lifetime.

Bill, my first response as I reached for a tissue was "Wowwwwwww....".

In response to one comment above, though, Hope wouldn't be booed while speaking to Congress. Being a too-young-to vote citizen, she'd wouldn't be allowed inside that once-hallowed chamber except as a visitor in the gallery. Even adult women have had to put up quite a fight to get inside, both to testify AND to become members.

The current members of Congress on a certain side of the aisle are under the mistaken impression that the word "Inc." follows "the United States of America". That the federal government should be run like the for-profit corporations many members came from and/or are bank-rolled by (under the table, of course). The federal government was never intended or designed to be run like a business, nor was the U.S. Treasury intended to be the personal piggy bank of a certain party, to be plundered at will by their cronies on Wall Street.

My 7th great-uncle, Herman Husband, had the right idea when he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, that NO member of Congress should be richer than what we now call the "middle class". He rightly felt that only members of Congress whose income was the same as the majority of a member's constituency could represent them equally and impartially.

Alas, this requirement was overruled by - surprise? - the richest delegates, paving the way for the UNempathetic, obscenely greedy, profit-oriented Congress we have today.

As for "no comrade left behind", wounded warriors may not get left behind on the battlefield, but many certainly do once they come home.

Upped in every category but funny, and shared! ;D

Ann1Az2 3 years agofrom Orange, Texas

What a great allegory - I love it. If only we could send out a copy of this to all the congressmen - is it possible? Well done, Bill.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Oh, Ruby, I'm always busy, but that's not an excuse. :) I'll see what I can do.

Ruby Jean Richert 3 years agofrom Southern Illinois

Oh goody. I'll be looking and waiting. I know you are super busy....

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Aww, thanks, Ruby! I've been following that Kentucky race. I would love to see that person lose and lose big. As for the musical challenge...Maria's, right? I have been following it. I'll ask Hope if she's up for it. :)

Ruby Jean Richert 3 years agofrom Southern Illinois

This gave me goose bumps. Your words hit hard and I felt like saying " Amen " each time Hope spoke with a congressman. I just listened to President Clinton speaking in Ky., a close race there between a senator whose voted against raising the minimum wage, yet voted for his salary increase 6 times over 30 years in the senate. A woman is about to win the state. Woopie! Are you writing in the musical challenge series? The word hope is one of many written about. I hope you do....I love this little girl. Thank you..

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Sheila, I suspect you are right, but I'll keep writing about her because I love her. :) Thank you my friend.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Bill, I am honored that this article was the first to be shared on Facebook. Thank you sir!

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Dolores, that has been my observation as well. The art of compromise seems to be lost in today's politics. It's all about rhetoric my friend, and getting the votes. Sad but true.

Thank you for your thoughts.

sheilamyers 3 years ago

I love your stories about Hope. Unfortunately, I could see many - if not most - members of Congress booing such a person and having them kicked out of the building.

William Leverne Smith 3 years agofrom Hollister, MO

A first time... I shared on my Facebook page. Everyone, left, right and center, needs to see this as we approach this important election season... it may not make a difference, but just one mind, affected by your Hope, will have been worth it. Thank you, so much! ;-)

Dolores Monet 3 years agofrom East Coast, United States

Hi billy - I really like the fallen comrade analogy. Politics is the art of compromise, of finding commons interests. I am sorry to see the politicians and people today with their no compromise stands. It gets everybody nowhere and leaves everybody angry.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you Dora. I'm not sure where the creativity came from. It wasn't there when I was young. I've been storing it up. :)

The character of Hope is a wonderful mouthpiece. Wise words here, bill, that we should all heed. Most important of all is that the politicians take heed - the honest ones do but they lose their voice amongst the rest, it seems. Will we ever learn?

We must take them to task much more, question them much more, make them turn from 'inward' to 'outstretched', make them respond morally to the responsibilities we ask them to undertake.

On a lighter note, have a great evening, bill!

Ann

Eric Dierker 3 years agofrom Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A.

Hope rocks! Lack of hope sucks. Please keep her around to teach us.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Indeed, ArtDiva. Thank you!

ArtDiva 3 years ago

Believe.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Sha, I suspect that Hope will return next week. Right now she is playing with her dolls. She is, after all, just a child. :)

bill

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

I know I am, DJ, but the choir is the only group that will listen, and we writers love it when anyone listens to us. :) Thanks my friend. Happy Tuesday to you.

bill

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Zulma my friend, it has been too long. Thank you for returning. You were missed by little old me.

Shauna L Bowling 3 years agofrom Central Florida

Hope is a very wise and well-spoken little girl. She speaks for all the people. If only our congressmen could hear her. Feel her. Heed her message.

I'm looking forward Hope's next journey.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Lea, love is the whole ball of wax, and the sooner we come to realize that fact, as a society, the better off we will be. Thank you for your kind words. I always feel better about life after hearing from you.

blessings always

bill

DJ Anderson 3 years ago

Great words from a child so young. The truth is....everyone seems to

to understand many of the problems. But, Washington has lost touch

with the people. We need someone like Hope to bring some common sense to our nation. I think I speak for many when I say, we have lost faith in our leaders.

Hope is just a wonderful word...Voted up, useful and beautiful. You presented this in a masterful way, and with a wonderful God in control of the universe, Hope prevails. I will always believe and stand on First Corinthians 13; Faith, HOPE and love these three...but the greatest of these is love. I personally believe all are intertwined, faith, hope and love all holding hands as ONE. Thank you for sharing this -Very vital information needed for such a time as this. Blessings, Sparklea :)

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Happy Tuesday to you, Janine, and a whole bunch of thank you heading your way on this rainy October morning.

Janine Huldie 3 years agofrom New York, New York

Yup, we totally need Hope and then some in our current Congress. So, think you said a mouthful here! Happy Tuesday and thank you for always being the voice of reason here!

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Kindred, thank you! I think I fall far short of master, but I won't be totally happy until I make it. :) This is a message we all need, as you well know, I'm just doing my part to see that hope is not forgotten.

I'll take that hug and send you two in return.

bill

Linda Crist 3 years agofrom Central Virginia

Yes Kindred you are a master, Beautifully crafted and creative. I love the message. When the world seems so lost, you inspire us and stoke the fire of hope once again. Few can do that and even fewer do it as well as you. Hugs en route.

Author

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

Thank you Mary! This is becoming my favorite ongoing series....I want to believe!!!!!!!

Mary Craig 3 years agofrom New York

Voted all but funny. How nice to see Hope come alive...a hope we all have for the future. If only we could instill that hope in our Congressmen. If only people could believe there is hope and more than two choices for the future!

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